Should giant pythons be kept in captivity?

Zoe · 02-27-03, 03:32 PM

Hi,
I am writing an article for school about the keeping of giant pythons by the general public. I'd like to know what you all think about it, and if you would perhaps write your opinion that would be great. If you would permit me to use your opinion in my text, please say so and include you name and years of experience working with herps and/or giant pythons.

So I guess I'd like to know if you think anyone should be allowed to, only those over 18 (or 19 or 21 or the legal age bla bla bla), only by permit, only by zoos and education centres, or not at all. Also, any defining experiences or elaborated opinions are very welcome!

Thanks!
Zoe

ReptileX · 02-27-03, 06:02 PM

It would definatly depend on the indevidual(maturity level) you have too have a good head on your shoulders when dealing with giant snakes... no one should be parading them around main streets like a dog or somthing like that. so if you keep them properaly not feeding the neighbors dog and such i think it should be fine for anyone to keep them. and it shouldn't be of any others concern either...and they don't have enough education centers now! so thats why people find it concerning..I don't think anyone below the age of 14 or even maybe 15 should have a giant snake like a burm or a retic but anthing else below 8-9 feet i believe is ok...I only got my first snake 3 years ago and i have 3 now, and i see nothing wrong with keeping snakes as long as you take responsabilty of it!! If you wanna use anything i said feel free, it just my opinion

Ryan ~~~

**Andy_G** · 02-27-03, 06:15 PM

It depends greatly on the maturity of the individual person who wants to own one, as Ryan said. I think they must be experienced with some type of boid and should do thorough research on the animal because big snakes require a lot of carefulness and space. It is a very large step going from a small snake to a large one, one that I am not ready to take because of their space requirements.They need to know the potential adult age of the animal and need to recognize that the animal may grow around 100 times the length it was as a baby.

My name is Andrew and I have been keeping snakes for about 7 years now. You may use anything I type.

ReptiZone · 02-27-03, 06:28 PM

I think Reptile X has good point ppl under 18 I say should not consider large snakles not because the kids cant be trusted it is the parents if the kids lie to there parents about how big it gets just to get it. Sooner or later they will find out and what do they do then the kid has no say in it no mater how bad he loves his burm or retic, even if the parents do know haw big it gets hearing a size and actualy seeing it is two difret things. I do belive that they should be availabule whan the proper experience is acquired.

Chondro Python

ReptiZone · 02-27-03, 06:32 PM

I have ben working with reptiles fore 5 years now and hve studied them for 10 (mom dident want me to have one) so seteld with some good books. you may yuose any thing you see fit in any of my post hear on snakes.com have fun

The_Snake_King · 02-27-03, 09:40 PM

By the private individual?
Or by an institution ?

ReptileX · 02-27-03, 10:12 PM

now that i think of it, and read whats above i strongly sugest that anyone who is going for a burm should own one other boid first just to get at least the basics down, cause as we all know reading and actually going threw with this are different...so maybe age doesn't matter but maybe there should be a kinda prerequisit....(by the way i have terrible spelling hehe )

FireSerpent · 02-27-03, 10:41 PM

I am very torn on the idea because one of my main snake obsessions is burms and retics, but i really feel that animals that large should never be owned by someone that isn't willing to devote an entire room to them! These creatures deserve the greatest respect and understanding, and as ReptileX commented; you shouldn't own one unless you have a great deal of experience with larger snakes first. The sad thing is that a lot of people that purchase a large snake don't understand that and end up eventually giving them away or putting them down

RachelS. · 02-27-03, 11:12 PM

I think if the individual has the maturity level and experience (like most have already said) they can keep one of these large snakes, like a burm or retic. By experience, I mean, they should have at least handled a few of these snakes over 13 feet in length if not longer, and have kept snakes in general for over 5 or 6 years. They should also know what they're doing about college and where the snake will go if they can't take care of it when they leave. I wouldn't ever buy a snake I knew I had to get rid of when I went to college. It would crush my heart not knowing who the person was and what would happen to the snake itself. I don't know about you guys, but I feel an extreme love for these animals just like I do my family.
In my opinion, the best age level for keeping a large boid would be 18 and over because by that time that person has settled and knows what they want to do with their life, and they should also have a place themselves... not still living with their parents. If they have a stable job, too, then I think they should go for it and get that large animal. But they also need backup of at 3 more inividuals when cleaning or even feeding the snake.
I, myself, am 14 years old and do have a burm. But I had been keeping reptiles for about 9 years and snakes for about 6 or 7 before getting one. I had been researching on retics and burms for about 2 years and also handled a few large ones myself. By this time last year I knew I was ready! I didn't only just take the advice that was given to me, but I did what I had to to get the experience I needed. To tell you the honest truth, I would've never gotten a burmese python if I didn't have that many years of keeping snakes and reptiles or taken the time to gain that experience.
I honestly think "kids" are not capable of taking care of one of these. I really shouldn't be saying that, though, because I'm a kid, but those who know me would agree that I know what I'm doing and chose the right path... went the way I needed to get a large boid.
I want to say one last note on this... If you want a large snake and have been keeping snakes for about 2 years get something like a suriname redtail boa. They get about 9-12 feet long depending on sex and have a pretty large girth. Plus, they are extremely strong!! Extremely! Have you felt the muscle on one of these? Damn, they're tight! If you don't have the money to get one of those, I strongly suggest a columbian boa constrictor. They are much more gentle and not as nippy and flighty as the true redtails. BTW, I think if you don't have the money for a suri then you definately DON'T have enough for a burm or retic because they cost a lot of $$$ for just food and matainence (sp?)! Also, think about the crap those things dump!! My girl is only 6 1/2 feet long and lays crap larger than my brother's cocker spaniel's!! And it stinks to high heavens!! lol
Just remember to think before getting one of these, and think about what I said.

Just my 0.02

BoidKeeper · 02-27-03, 11:25 PM

Only by permit. Permits could be isused based on age and experience. You can use this if you want to. I've been keeping herps off and on for 13 years.
Trevor

marisa · 02-27-03, 11:45 PM

I totally agree. By permit...if you are 13 years old or 73 years old...you want the large snake bad enough then you should have no problems getting a permit to say you are legally able and allowed to do so.

It should be a privledge not a right to own such a large creature. As should the permit. It should feel like a good thing to get, not a burden.

Marisa

Oh wanted to add: Not everyone can keep a tiger. You can get in legal trouble if you don't do things right. There is a reason for this. And the people who really want them and are commited to the care of them get the required permit to keep the animal they love.

The_Snake_King · 02-27-03, 11:48 PM

Look people I may have overstated the "kid" thing. Am by no means am I saying that young adults shouldn't be able to have a burm or retic. It is just, I see over and over again yougsters like snakemann87, who just started keeping snakes, getting a burm. A Burmese python is not a beginners snake. He started with corn snakes, then onto a ball python and a boa. This is the path taken by many of us. But what we have learned through ecperience, they have yet to.
They can benefit from our experience by asking questions, listening to and abiding by our advice. We know what it taeks to care for these snakes. Having a corn snake or ball python for a year or so, doesn't give anyone the experience necessary to care for a giant snake. We advise that a person wanting to get one of these giant snakes, learn everything they can, find a person who has one and work with that snake for a year or so. But, unfortunately, most just go out and buy one without any of the above be even taken into consideration.

BoidKeeper · 02-27-03, 11:54 PM

Quote:

It is just, I see over and over again yougsters like snakemann87, who just started keeping snakes, getting a burm.

What gives you the right to use him or any other member of this forum as an example to make you case. I'm sorry but I find what you did to be very irresponsible.
Trevor

marisa · 02-27-03, 11:56 PM

I took that qoute to mean that he was complimenting him on getting other snakes before a burm first. ???????? haha maybe i read it wrong.

Marisa

The_Snake_King · 02-27-03, 11:58 PM

What gives me the right?
I'll tell you what gives me the right!
He came to me and asked for my advice and then went and did exactly what me, and others, told him not to do.
Then he comes in here spouting off advice, given to him by myself and others, as his own.

If anyone is irresponsible, it is his parents for allowing him to get this type of snake. I can almost gaurantee they have no idea that it can get over 20 feet long and wiegh in at over 200lbs.